Surveillance of viral pathogens in Australia - varicella-zoster virus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2002.26.59Keywords:
Varicella-zoster, national zoster vaccination program, varicella zoster virus, surveillance, shingles, herpes zoster, Laboratory Virology and Serology Reporting Scheme (LabVISE)Abstract
This article summarises current knowledge and some of the implications the introduction of universal varicella vaccination may have on the epidemiology of varicella in Australia. Appropriate surveillance strategies for this changing epidemiology are also discussed.
Varicella-zoster virus causes two distinct clinical diseases. Primary infection causes varicella or chickenpox in children and reactivation of infection causes herpes zoster (shingles) mostly among the elderly. The virus is a member of the herpesvirus family, restricted in its infective range to humans. Although chickenpox and shingles have been recognised for centuries, changes in population demographics, increasing numbers of people living with immuno-compromising conditions and the recent introduction of effective varicella vaccines could change the epidemiology of the diseases. The recent recommendation of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) to introduce universal childhood immunisation against varicella has highlighted the need to understand the epidemiology and develop surveillance strategies appropriate for Australia.
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